PACEshow 2026

PACEshow: The Central Hub for Petroleum and Convenience Retail Growth

In the heart of the Midwest, a powerful energy pulses through the aisles of a show floor where deals are made, innovations are discovered, and relationships are built. That pulse belongs to The PACEshow, a premier gathering point for petroleum and convenience retail professionals from across the region. With over 5,000 retail locations represented and more than 2,000 attendees expected, this event serves as both a marketplace and a think tank for one of the most vital segments of the American economy.

But The PACEshow is more than a trade event it's a highly strategic experience tailored to bring real value to convenience store operators, petroleum marketers, and their supporting partners.

Why the PACEshow Matters to Midwest Retailers and Fuel Marketers

The convenience and fuel retail landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. Between the rise of electric vehicles, evolving consumer expectations, and increasingly complex regulations, operators need every advantage to stay ahead. The PACEshow delivers that advantage.

It’s designed with purpose: to bring together top-tier industry suppliers and decision-makers in an environment that’s both efficient and impactful. Whether you're looking to expand product lines, improve fuel logistics, or modernize your store footprint, the event delivers relevant connections and up-to-the-minute insights.

Key focus areas at the event include

• Fuel supply and distribution innovations
• In-store technology and POS systems
• Foodservice expansion and efficiency
• Beverage and snack trends
• Environmental compliance tools
• Loyalty and marketing automation
• Facilities management and security systems

A Marketplace of Possibilities: What Attendees Gain

Walking the PACEshow floor isn’t just about browsing booths it’s about making decisions that can reshape your business for the better. For many convenience store owners and operators, this is the one event each year that puts everything under one roof, offering the chance to explore, question, and invest with confidence.

Here’s what attendees can expect

Direct access to 200+ industry suppliers offering everything from new fuel systems to coffee machines and advanced POS integrations.

Special show discounts and promotions exclusively available to attendees.

Hands-on demos of the latest products and services shaping the industry.

Opportunities to meet top buyers and influencers from over 5,000 retail sites.

One-on-one business matchmaking to ensure relevant connections are made.

This show isn’t about big speeches it’s about real conversations and real results.

Building Stronger Relationships Across the Convenience Retail Chain

One of the most powerful aspects of The PACEshow is its ability to foster community. Whether you're a large petroleum distributor or a single-location c-store owner, the event encourages collaboration, mentorship, and deal-making at every turn. The regional nature of the show is also a major benefit, ensuring that the products and services showcased are relevant to local market demands, regulatory climates, and consumer habits.

Who Attends the PACEshow?

Independent and multi-store convenience store owners

Petroleum wholesalers and jobbers

Fuel equipment suppliers

Food and beverage vendors

Technology and security providers

Environmental compliance experts

Franchise operators and emerging brands

This diversity makes The PACEshow an inclusive ecosystem one where businesses at every level find something of value.

Exhibitors: Bringing Solutions Straight to the Retail Frontline

The supplier booths at The PACEshow are more than displays they’re engagement zones where decision-makers can ask questions, negotiate pricing, test equipment, and leave with action plans. Exhibitors value this event not only because of the access to retail professionals but because of the quality of those interactions.

Many suppliers prepare exclusive packages just for the show, knowing that face-to-face conversation often leads to long-term partnerships.

Categories of Exhibitors Include

• Fuel systems and tank monitoring
• Refrigeration and HVAC solutions
• Tobacco, CBD, and alternative products
• Coffee and beverage programs
• Cleaning and sanitation
• Store design and construction services
• Workforce management platforms

A Regional Event with National-Level Value

While The PACEshow is focused on the central Midwest, the insights and partnerships forged here ripple far beyond the region. Trends that begin in regional markets often set the tone for national retail strategies and The PACEshow gives attendees an early look at what’s coming down the pipeline.

It’s not just about seeing the newest display or trying a new snack it’s about gaining a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving business environment. For retailers operating on slim margins and tight labor markets, the right product or contact found at PACE can make a significant difference in the months ahead.

More Than a Trade Show It’s a Growth Engine

What makes The PACEshow such a vital event each year is its focus on real-world outcomes. Attendees are there for a reason: to get smarter, more efficient, and more profitable. From the moment you walk through the doors, you feel the energy of people who are not just interested in the industry they’re invested in its future.

It’s where business cards become deals.
Where demos become store upgrades.
Where regional retailers become leaders.

Fueling the Future of Retail and Energy

As the fuel and convenience retail industries face a period of transformation, events like The PACEshow play an increasingly critical role. With its smart focus, rich exhibitor base, and engaged attendee community, the show offers far more than a display of products it delivers a strategic platform for growth.

For any business that touches the petroleum or convenience retail space, The PACEshow is more than just worth attending it’s essential. It’s where challenges meet solutions, where partnerships are forged, and where the future of fuel and retail is imagined, built, and sold one conversation at a time.